The Houthi Movement: Everything You Need to Know

Background and Origins

The Houthi movement, officially known as Ansar Allah ("Supporters of God"), is a rebel group that originated in northern Yemen in the late 1990s.

It is named after its late founder, Hussein Badreddin al-Houthi, who led a rebellion against the Yemeni government and its support for the United States in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks.

Ideology and Goals

The Houthis are followers of Zaidi Shia Islam, a branch of Shia Islam prevalent in northern Yemen for over a millennium.

They seek to establish an Islamic government in Yemen based on Zaidi principles and oppose Saudi Arabia's influence in their country, which they view as an attempt to spread Wahhabism.

The Houthis also support Palestinian rights and oppose Israel, whom they consider an enemy of the Muslim world.

Role in the Yemeni Civil War

The Houthis played a significant role in the Yemeni Civil War, which began in 2014.

They seized control of the capital, Sana'a, in 2014 and expanded their influence to other parts of Yemen.

The Houthis formed an alliance with former President Ali Abdullah Saleh, but their relationship later turned sour, leading to Saleh's assassination by the Houthis in 2017.

International Involvement

The Houthi movement has received support from Iran, which has provided them with financial, military, and logistical assistance.

Saudi Arabia, backed by a coalition of Arab states, has intervened in the conflict and launched airstrikes against Houthi-controlled areas.

The United Nations has been involved in efforts to mediate a ceasefire and negotiate a political solution to the conflict.

Humanitarian Crisis

The Yemeni Civil War has caused a severe humanitarian crisis, with millions of people displaced and suffering from food shortages, disease, and lack of access to basic services.

The Houthis have been accused of human rights abuses, including arbitrary arrests, torture, and extrajudicial killings.

The international community has condemned the atrocities committed by all parties involved in the conflict and called for an end to the violence.